Thursday, January 27, 2011

Your iPhone doesn’t just offer ticked off birds, social streams and clever photo effects, it also offers a window into the world of art, art history and culture, right in the palm of your hand.

Thanks to some excellent apps from some forward-thinking organizations, you can browse a world of amazing art and even go on virtual audio and video tours through exhibitions from all around the world.

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Louvre, or see the Australian National Gallery but can’t because of that terrible distance/cost combo, take a look at these great gallery apps we’ve curated for you.

1. Love Art: National Gallery, London

London's National Gallery offers up the jewels in its crown as click-through topics, but also adds some fun functionality with an "Insight" section that lets you explore the art via themes, such as "vanity," "light," "hope" and "fury."

These "Insights" come in the form of fascinating, bite-size audio commentary on particular works that relate to the theme.

In total, there's some 250 works with video, audio and zoomable high resolution images which should help justify that price tag.

Cost: $2.99

2. National Gallery of Victoria

Australia isn't the easiest place to get to, so this app, which showcases the treasures at the National Gallery of Victoria, is a real treat for all you non-Aussie art fans.

You can view the highlights of the gallery's collection as well as find out more about the current exhibitions, with images and info on all the displays.

Cost: Free

3. Musée du Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most famous art museums in the world, housed in a historic landmark -- the Palais du Louvre.